Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa

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Strategy 2.6 Protect African genetic resources – pastoral animals and plantsIt is widely recognized that ‘genetic improvement’ of African pastoral livestock by replacinglocal breeds or crossbreeding with exotic breeds imported from Europe, achieved very limitedimpact. These technical approaches overlooked the long evolution and adaptability of Africanbreeds, and in pastoral areas, the careful selective breeding practices of pastoralists whichemphasized combinations of traits such as high drought resistance and milk production.The livestock and plant genetic resources in pastoral areas of Africa are a considerable resourcefor the continent which warrant protection through national and regional policies. In someareas, dryland plants have not been fully recorded or identified and therefore, there is need tosupport comprehensive inventories of plants in pastoral areas, including those of potentialeconomic importance.Strategy 2.7 Research and extensionLong-term sustainable pastoral development requires a good knowledge of the dynamics of multiplefactors underlining pastoralism and here, research has a crucial role to play. Alongside support toimproved primary and secondary education, is the need to strengthen institutions of higher learningand research in pastoral areas of Africa. Such institutions require support to conduct research ona range of political, social and natural science subjects, and at levels which range from local adaptationthrough to regional integration and global trends. The links between research and policyalso need to be strengthened, so that policy responds to the dynamics of pastoral livelihoods andin the face of global factors.Among the research programmes which are relevant across pastoral areas of Africa is the quantitativeassessment and monitoring of rangeland resources, with analysis of the factors causing rangelanddegradation and reduced access to rangelands for pastoralists. Similarly, further economicanalyses of pastoral production are required, with comparative studies on different land use options.A second general area of research is regional TAD control, drawing on analysis of epidemiological,economic and market factors, combined with assessment of the technical and economic feasibilityof different control options. Both these research topics can benefit from the extensive indigenousknowledge of pastoralists.In the area of natural science research there is also a need to conduct research which respondsto the problems and interests of pastoralists. Specific research areas should be identified locally,in a participatory manner with pastoralists, and so will vary by location. Possible researchprogrammes include:i. Drought resistant forage species;ii. Conservation and improvement of the animal and plant genetic resource base;iii. Control of invading weeds and bush encroachment;iv. Camel husbandry and diseases.Securing, Protecting and Improving the Lives, Livelihoods and Rights of Pastoralist Communities41
5. Applying the Policy FrameworkIt is important to reiterate that the underlying objectives of the pastoral policy initiative is to developframework that could be used in the process of pastoral policy development, pastoral policy implementation;and monitoring and evaluation of progress made in these processes. The followingsections outline the essential elements of these processes.5.1 Initiation of Pastoral Policy Development ProcessIt is advisable that the pastoral policy development is initiated at a country level with the establishmentof a national steering committee and a strong national inter-disciplinary support teamof experts. The national steering committee will be charged with the mission to provide guidanceand supervision at each stage of the national pastoral policy development process. It may compriseof members representing key sector institutions, such as ministry in charge of agriculture,livestock, environment, water, territorial administration, local development, health, education,agricultural research, pastoralist organisations/associations/councils, civil society organizations,and development partners.The national support team of experts may be composed of experts from livestock, justice, land,finance/economy, universities/research systems, etc., who have experiences in local pastoral issues.The team’s main preoccupation will be developing the national pastoral policy and strategies, andfollowing up its implementation after its adoption. Planning the development of the national pastoralpolicy implies: (i) defining national pastoral policy development objectives, results requiredto meet these objectives and related operational plans, institutional settings and monitoring andevaluation mechanism for the policy development process with clearly defined indicators andreporting schedule; (ii) establishing policy development timeframe following a phased out anditerative model with clear milestones to which key stakeholders will subscribe; (iii) clarifying roles;and (iv) determining human and financial resource requirements. Subsequent to planning, the maintask of the national support team of experts will comprise (i) identification of key pastoral issuesat country level through literature review and local assessments and public consultation meetingswith relevant stakeholders; (ii) drafting of the national pastoral policy; and (iii) presentation of thedraft pastoral policy at local and national consultation meetings for validation before its adoptionby relevant authorities.5.2 Key steps in pastoral policy developmentIt is important to emphasize that pastoral policy development is a complex exercise. It should beparticipatory and involve the following fundamental interactive steps to be performed:--stakeholder consultation and identification of salient problems in the pastoral sector;--preparation of working documents for further discussion with stakeholders;--appraisal of institutional and financial/budgetary options;--refinement, processing and approval of the national pastoral policy;--design of implementation programs and rationalization of institutional responsibilities forimplementation;42 Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa
Page 2 and 3: DEPARTMENT OF RURAL ECONOMY AND AGR
Page 4 and 5: 2.4 Social and cultural contexts 18
Page 6 and 7: AbbreviationsAUAUCAU/DREAAU/IBARCAA
Page 8 and 9: traditional pastoral institutions i
Page 10 and 11: people. The key principles of this
Page 12 and 13: devising effective governance frame
Page 14 and 15: 2.2.1 Mediterranean and Saharan zon
Page 16 and 17: equatorial humid forest. Pastoral a
Page 18 and 19: pastoral areas include the use of l
Page 20 and 21: to pasture and water resources are
Page 22 and 23: In Burundi where population pressur
Page 24 and 25: all passed legislation specifically
Page 26 and 27: with resident farmers. These proble
Page 28 and 29: issues, they are meant to bring the
Page 30 and 31: i) Climate changePastoralist produc
Page 32 and 33: policies and legislation, and furth
Page 34 and 35: The process for reaching a common u
Page 36 and 37: iv. The need to acknowledge the leg
Page 38 and 39: within and between states, supporte
Page 40 and 41: many African countries have already
Page 44 and 45: --enactment of new and revision or
Page 46 and 47: iii. Policy information delivery an
Page 48: 6. ConclusionSustainable pastoral r

Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa

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